Arsenal: Coach confirms defender interest

Hull coach Mike Phelan has confirmed his interest in signing long-term Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson.

Sky Sports pass this these quotes on from Phelan, who said:

“Yes, he’s been spoken about. But there are a few others in the hat for Carl,”

“I would love him to come here. I’ve spoken to staff at Arsenal and I’ve been encouraged by it.

“But I do also realise that there are other clubs interested in Carl. So that’s where we’re at at the moment and nothing definite has gone ahead and there are others.”

The 24-year-old, 6ft 1in Englishman moved to Arsenal in 2011 after coming through the ranks at fellow London club Charlton Athletic.

Although he made 61 appearances and score done goal for Arsenal, he rarely got beyond the peripheries of the senior squad and after a couple high profile errors he was shipped out on loan for two years.

He spent two seasons at West Ham where he played 36 and 23 games respectively. But The Hammers haven’t yet been mentioned as a potential permanent destination for the player and the fact that Phelan has name checked Jenkinson could be telling.

Jenkinson has played four times for Arsenal this season and they don’t have obvious cover for Hector Bellerin if the brilliant right back gets injured.

So one would imagine that if the player is allowed to leave then Arsenal will make a move to replace him in this window. Although the likes of Holding and Paulista can do a job at full back, neither are specialists in that role.

Gunners fans – time to get rid or is it a risky move with so little specialist cover?